The Venter Runde leads over the highest peaks of the Ötztal Alps in 5 days and is the classic among the ski crossings of the Eastern Alps. It is not for nothing that it is also called the Haute Route of the Eastern Alps, and rightly so. So the Venter ski tour doesn't need to hide behind other well-known crossings of the Alps, 5 days it goes through the Ötztal Alps in a unique glacier landscape and breathtaking mountain panorama. This ski traverse is a conditionally and technically demanding ski traverse that requires a little skill in terms of ascent and descent technique, as well as physical condition.
Day 1: We start our tour in Vent and climb comfortably in the late afternoon on the forest road through the Niedertal to the Martin-Busch-Hütte at 2501m. Where we can spend the night, enjoy the late afternoon in a beautiful landscape on the terrace and look forward to the next few days. Total 600hm ascent, 3.5h walking time
Day 2: We start early, further into the Niedertal, climb up over the Niederjochferner to the Similaun ski depot. We unbuckle the skis and continue without skis to the summit of the 3606m high Similaun, where we enjoy the snack we brought with us in a gigantic atmosphere and a bombastic view that makes every mountaineer's heart beat faster. Soon we're going downhill rapidly over the Niederjochferner to our next stopover, the Ötzi discovery site, where the 5000-year-old ice mummy was found in 1991. With short counter ascents we continue up to the Rifugio Bella Vista, the Schönen Aussicht Hütte, which lives up to its name. In a breathtaking setting we enjoy the last rays of sunshine on the terrace and enjoy the well-deserved "after-work beer". Total: 1500m ascent, 1110m descent, 5.5-6.5h walking time
Day 3: Soon after a delicious breakfast we start to our today's destination, the second highest peak in Tyrol and the Ötztal Alps, the Weißkugel. After a short climb in the morning to warm up, you soon descend over a wide gully to the Hintereisferner, one of the largest glaciers in Tyrol. The beautiful descent is over too quickly and we jump up again and start today's ascent. With a unique landscape and quite entertaining, it goes up over the huge Hintereisferner in the direction of the Weißkugel. On the last few meters we are then forced to switch from skis to crampons and so we reach the summit with easy climbing. With an unbelievable view over the surrounding mountains, which makes every mountaineer's heart beat faster, we enjoy the well-deserved snack and look forward to the long descent over the Hintereisferner. A little steeper at first, later fairly flat but still brisk, we descend across the expanse of the glacier to our destination for the day, the Hochjoch-Hospiz, which we reach with a short climb in the opposite direction. Total: 1400m ascent, 1750m descent, 7h walking time
Day 4: Early in the morning we head up over the Kesselwandferner to the Oberes Guslarjoch and from there on to the Fluchtkogel, our summit goal for today, another of the really big 3000m peaks in the Ötztal Alps. Since the Vernagthütte will unfortunately be closed in the 2025 season due to a general renovation, we have to re-plan and spend tonight in the Hochjoch Hospiz again. Total 1200m ascent, 1200m descent, 5.5h walking time
Day 5: After a fortifying breakfast we will soon set off on our last tour together. Depending on the conditions, today's goal is one of the numerous other surrounding 3000m peaks. Unfortunately, the Wildspitze cannot be reached in this 2025 season, the way from the Hochjoch Hospiz is too far. Nevertheless, we enjoy a gigantic panorama from our last summit and think back almost wistfully to the past unique days of touring. The long descent down to Vent is over far too quickly, and we take the opportunity to review the last few days of touring in the guest house, make new plans and end the day like this. Total: variable depending on the planned tour, approx. 7 hours walking time
Information about the tour:
•Duration: 5 days
•Meeting point: parking lot for hikers at the entrance to Vent
•Minimum number of participants: 4 participants
•Additional Costs:
◦Drinks and meals outside of half-board
•Services included:
◦5 days guided tour by a certified mountain and ski guide
◦4x overnight stays including half board
•Requirements for participants:
◦absolutely safe downhill technique in varying types of snow◦good hairpin technique
◦fitness for ski touring ascents up to 1500m / day
◦fitness for descents in varying types of snow and terrain up to 1900m / day
◦sure-footedness and a head for heights for summit climbs with crampons
•Equipment required by participants:
◦complete ski touring Equipment
◦complete glacier equipment including ice axe and crampons
◦complete avalanche rescue equipment
•Country: Austria
